Earth-boring apparatus



J. H. HERMAN.

EARTH BORING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 050.10. 1920.

Patented Mar. 28, 1922. IE5 SHEETS-SHEETI- 1 If Y1 I 7 (I O o i o 52 I rs- 5 5) I Yr 71 A I I W lf y 6Q I I" f f f 25 J I 1 l I I Z g k L 25 WITNESSES lA/VE/I/TOR w g/MM I JLIH] Mermau ATTOR/I/EVS J.' H. HERMAN. EARTH BO'R'I'NG APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 050.10, 1920. 1,410,674.

lA/I/EA/TOR A T T ORA/E Y8 Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

WITNESSES! .l. H. HERMAN.' EARTH BORING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEc.10. 1920.

28, 1922. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Patented Mar.

ATTORNEYS J. H.YHERMAN.

EARTH BORING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10. I920.

1,421 0,674, Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4. 59 57 9 Q l Fi .8 Y Q 55 w WITNESSES IIWE/VTOR S v J.H-H@E A a m,

4 TTOH/VEVS J. H. HERMAN. EARTH BORING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10, 1920.

Patented Mar; 28, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES v v xv IIVI/EA/TOR M v v a H H H m a fl x6 v J l? 'A A. fife ATTORNEYS TWMTED STATES JOHN HENRY HERMAN, 0F BRECKENRIDGE, TEXAS.

EARTH-BORING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

Application filed December 10, 1920. Serial No. 429,650.

To all 1.071 am it mag concern.

Be it known that 1, JOHN HENRY HERMAN,

' a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Breckenridge. in the county of Stephens and State of Texas. have invented a new and useful Improvement in Earth-Boring Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to earth boring apparatus and more particularly to a well drill employed for drilling oil, Artesian and other wells.

Briefly stated an important object is to provide a well drilling apparatus having novel means whereby the cutting members may be expeditiously introduced through the drill pipe into the hole being drilled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well drilling apparatus having automatic means whereby the cutting members are swung to an operative position upon reaching the end of the drill pipe through which the same are passed.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application aims also to provide a well drilling apparatus having means whereby the bits of the same may be withdrawn for the purpose of renewal without withdrawing the drill pipe and in a highly convenient manner.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a well drilling apparatus which by reason of the fact that the disks may be readily and conveniently renewed will greatly reduce the cost of drilling the well.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a view in side elevation of the improved drill which is adapted to be introduced through the drill pipe into the hole being bored.

Figure 2 is a group view illustrating the drill in section and arranged within the drill pipe, the cutters being shown retracted or in their inoperative position.

Figure 3 is also a group view of the drill, the drill being shown in section and located within the drill pipe and having the cutters arranged in operative position.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view Ehrough a bit head embodied in the invenion.

F gure 5 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view through a Water confiner embodied in the invention.

Figure 6 is an elevation of a bit embodied in the invention.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional View taken on line 77 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of a plunger embodied in the invention, two views of the plunger being shown.

Figure 9 is a group perspective of two bit holders embodied in the invention.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective of a pair of bearings embodied in the invention and which are adapted to pivotally support the bit holders illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Figure 2.

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Figure 2.

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 1313 of Figure 2.

Figure 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line .1414 of Figure 2.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 20 designates a drill pipe which is adapted to be arranged within a hole being drilled. The invention forming the subject matter of this application embodies a drill generally designated by the numeral 21 and which is adapted to be passed through the drill pipe 20 in order that the bits of the same might be en ga ed with the inner end. of the hole.

The improved drill comprises a cylindrical bit head 23 having a longitudinal slot 24 extending out through opposite sides and receiving a pair of oppositely arranged bit holders 25. The bit holders 25 are formed with transverse openings which align with the openings in bearing plates 26, for the reception of pivot pins 27 whereby the bit holders are pivotally supported within the slot 24. The forward portions of the bit holders 25 are formed with inclined slots 23 which receive the shanks 29 of bits 30. The bit holders and the shanks 29 are formed with openings which receive fastening bolts 31 employed for the purpose of connecting the bits to the bit holders.

The cylindrical bit head 23 also has its forward end portions provided with a transverse slot 32 which detachably receives a center bit 33 having its forward end portion pointed as indicated at 34. The center bit has a cutting edge slightly longer than the width of the shank so that the hole provided by the center bit 33 will be slightly wider than the width of the shank of the bit. This provides a small degree of clearance between the shank of the bit and the side wall of the opening. The center bit 33 is heldsecurely in position within the slot 32 by means of bolts 35 which pass through longitudinal slots 36 in the shank of the bit and through aligned openings in the forward portion of the bit head 23.

With reference to section C of Figure 2 it will be observed that the rear portion of each bit holder 25 is provided with a longitudinally curved dog 37 which when the bits are contracted contacts with the enlarged forward end 38 of a longitudinally movable plunger 39. When in the position illustrated in section a of Figure 2, the enlarged forward end 38 of the longitudinally movable plunger 39 serves to space the dogs and thereby hold the cutters within the slot 24. In section of Figure 2, the plunger 39 is, of course, in its retracted position and as the same is advanced by a means to be later described, the finger 40 formed on the forward end of the same contacts with the inner edges of the bit holders 25 and thereby moves the same outwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 1. This movement, however, takes place only after the cylindrical bit head 23 has reached the limit of its forward movement.

The advanced position of the bit head 23 is illustrated in Figure 3 wherein the bit holders 25 are shown in advance of the forward end of the drill pipe 20. When the cutter holders and consequently the cutters or bits are in the position illustrated in Figure 3, the finger 40 formed at the forward end of the plunger 39 is received within a recess 41 formed in a squared member 42 carried by the bit holder or head 23. In this manner, the plunger 39 is non-rotatably connected to the bit head 23 so that the rotation of the plunger 39 will result in the rotation of the cylindrical bit holder or head 23.

When the plunger 39 is advanced with relation to the bit head 23, the longitudinally curved dogs 37 contact with the flattened surfaces 50 on opposite sides of the plunger 39 and as the plunger reaches the limit of its forward movement with relation to the bit head 23, shoulders 51 formed at the rear portions of the flattened surfaces 50 contact with the dogs and thereby hold the bit holders in their operative or outer position.

\Vhen the plunger 39 is retracted with relation to the bit head 23, the V-shaped shoulders 53 formed on the enlargement 38 contact with the inner edges of the dogs 37 and thereby swing the same outwardly with the result that the bit holders are swung inwardly into the slot 24.

As the drill which is generally designated by the numeral 21 is lowered in the well pipe the same carries a liquid retainer generally designated by the numeral 56 and which is shown clearly in Figures 5 and 7. The liquid retainer 56 includes an annulus 57 having a plurality of spaced, forwardly extending spring arms 58 secured thereto through the medium of rivets 59. The forward portions of the spring arms 58 are provided with arcuate sections 60 which form an annular washer adapted to be wedged between the beveled rear portion 61 of the bit head 23 and adjacent portions of the drill pipe 20 to provide a liquid tight connection between the bit head and the drill pipe at this point. With reference to Figure 2 and more particularly to section 0 thereof, it will be observed that the annulus 57 of the liquid retainer 56 rests upon a transverse pin 63 carried by the plunger 39 at a point spaced from its forward end. During the forward movement of the plunger the liquid retainer 56 of course moves forwardly until the arcuate sections 60 of the same are received within the socket formed between the beveled rear end portion Gland the wall of the drill pipe 20. The weight of the liquid retainer wedges the arcuate section 60 securely in position so that by no possibility will liquid be permitted to escape. However, the plunger 39 continues to move forwardly after the liquid retaining member 56 is engaged with the rear end of the bit head 23 whereby the pin 63 is spaced from the annulus 57 as illustrated in Figure 3.

The bit head 23 carries a locking member generally designated by the numeral 70. The locking member is spaced some distance rearwardly of the bit head and is connected to the same through the medium of a plurality of spaced rods 71 which are threaded into the bit head 23 and are connected to the locking member 70 by couplings 72 having threaded engagement with attaching rods 7 3. With reference to section b of Figure 2 it will be observed that the attaching rods 73 are secured to the sleeve 74 of the locking member 70 by means of rivets 75. As illustrated in section b of Figure 2 and in Figure 1, the locking member 70 is provided with an annular series of leaf springs 76 having their lower end portions formed with enlargements 77 adapted to be received within slots 78 formed in a coupling 79. As the drill is introduced into the drill pipe the bit head 23, of course, travels in advance of the locking member and as the enlargements 77 of the leaf springs 76 reach the coupling 79 the same are received within the slots or grooves 78 whereby the forward movement of the drill is limited. The forward endS of the enlargements 77 are formed with shoulders 80 which contact with the upper ends of a casing 81 and thereby hold the drill against further forward movement. The locking member 70 is provided with a head 82 having a threaded annular flange received within the rear portion of the sleeve 7 4.

The means for lowering the drill into the well pipe 20 includes a cylindrical member having connection wit-ha cable or rope 91 through the medium of a fastening device 92. The cylindrical member 90 which carries the drill has its forward end formed with a socket 93 which detachably receives the rear end portion of the plunger 39 and the head 94 of the same. When lowering the drill into the drill pipe the plunger 39 is connected to the cylindrical member 90 in the manner illustrated in section A of Fig. 2. In this figure the cylindrical member 90 is shown as being provided with a plurality of pawls 95 pivoted at their lower ends to the side walls of the socket 93 as indicated at 96. The upper or free end portions of the pawls 95 are pointed and adapted to be received within an annular groove 97 formed in the head 94 and the adjacent portion of the plunger 39. \Vhen the plunger 39 is inserted into the socket 93 the pawls 95 are moved outwardly and are subsequently moved in ardly into engagement with the plunger 39- so that the downward movement of the plunger with relation to the cylindrical member 90 will cause the forward ends of the pawls 95 to enter the annular groove 97. The lowering of the cylindrical member 90 by lengthening the cable 91 results in the downward movement of the drill. The downward movement of the drill continues until the enlargements 77 formed on the leaf springs engage the upper end of the casing 31 and are thereby received within the slots 78. The downward movement of the cylindrical bit head 23 is thus stopped and the plunger 39 continues its downward movement so as to move the bits to their outward position as illustrated in Figure 3. This continued downward movement of the plunger 39 is accompanied by a downward .moved upwardly thereby swinging the pawls 95 outwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 3. With the pawls 95 thus swung outwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 3, the socket member is free to be entirely removed from the well pipe so that the drilling operation may start.

As the bits 33 and 30 are put into opera tion, a stream of water is passed over the same from conduits formed in the cylindrical bit head 23. lVhen the cutters become dull or worn as a result of continued use, the member 90 may be lowered into the well pipe so as to remove the drills from the pipe. However, previous to lowering the member 90 into the pipe the pins 102 are removed so that the pawls 95 will be free to swing inwardly and engage the head 94 of the plunger 39. As the socket member 90 moves downwardly the head 94 and the plunger 39 are received within the socket 93 and the pawls 95 are swung outwardly and then inwardly so that the same are received within the annular groove 97. An upward pull may now be exerted on the cable 91 so as t5 elevate the plunger 39. The upward movement thus imparted to the plunger 39 will result in spreading the dogs 37 formed at the rear portion of the bit holders 25 with the result that the bits will be moved into the slot 24.

Also the continued upward movement of the plunger 39 will elevate the liquid retainer 56 since the pin 63 will contact with the under side of the annulus 57. The cylindrical locking member is moved upwardly at the same time the cylindrical bit holder 23 is moved upwardly since the same is connected to the bit holder by the rods 71. It will be noted that the upper ends of the enlargements 77 are beveled so that the same upon contacting with the lower end of the well pipe will move inwardly to a limited degree. Upon the removal of the drill from the well pipe the bits 30 and 33 may be readily removed so that the drilling operation may proceed without delay.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and useful is 1. A drill comprising a bit head, bits carried thereby, and a longitudinally movable finger for spreading said bits, said head being provided with means engaging the finger to hold the same against rotation with relation to the bits.

2. In a drill, the combination of a bit carrier, and a securing device for the carrier inclusive of a series of locking arms.

3. In a drill, the combination of a bitcarrier, and a securing device for the carrier inclusive of an annular series of forwardly extending locking arms.

4. In a drill, the combination of a bit carrier, nd a securin device for the carrier inclusive of an annu ar series of forwardly extending spring arms.

5. In a drill, the combination-of a bit carrier, and a securing device for the carrier inclusive of an annular series of forwardly extending spring arms having their forward ends provided with enlargements constituting locking members and defining shoulders limiting the forward movement of the carrier.

6. In a drill, the combination of a bit carrler, a securing device for the carrier inclusive of an annular series of spring arms having their forward portions formed with enlargements defining shoulders, and means connecting said securing device to said bit,

carrier.

7. A drill comprising a bit carrier, and a securing device inclusive of a series of spring arms provided at points spaced from their ends with enlargements defining stop elements and locking members.

8. A drill comprising a bit head, bit holders carried thereby, and a plunger having its forward end formed with a finger adapted for engaging said bit holders. said bit head being provided with a' slot for the reception of said finger.

9. A drill comprising a bit head. bit holders carried thereby, a finger adapted for engaging said bit holders for advancing the same, said bit head being provided with a slot receiving said finger, and supporting means for said finger.

10. A drill comprising a bit head, bits carried thereby, and a bit spreading mem ber havin shoulders engaging the bits to hold the bits in position.

11. The combination with a drill pipe, of a bit head detachably extended through the drill pipe, bits carried by said bit head, and means whereby the bit head may be detachably secured to the forward portion of said drill pipe.

12. The combination with a drill pipe, of a casing secured to the forward end of said drill pipe, a bit head slidable through said drill pipe, bits carried by said bit head and arranged forwardly of said casing, and locking springs carried by said bit head and engaging said casing for securing the bit head in position.

13. The combination with a drill pipe, of a coupling secured to the forward end of the drill pipe, a casing connected to said coupling, a bit head arranged within said casing, a bit carried by said bit head, means for swinging said bits laterally of said bit head, and locking springs associated with said bit head and having securing means detachably arranged in said coupling.

14. The combination with a drill pipe, of a bit head arranged Within the pipe, and a locking device associated with said bit head and inclusive of an annular series of locking members.

15. The combination with a drill pipe, of a coupling secured to the forward end of the same, a casing having connection with said coupling, and a drill inclusive of a plurality of spring arms having projections adapted to be received Within said couplings, said spring arms being limited in their forward movement to contact with the adjacent ends of said casing.

16. The combination with a bit head, of bit carriers pivoted thereto and having their rear portions formed with dogs, and a plunger slidable through said-head and having its opposite sides flattened to form shoulders adapted to engage said dogs to hold the bit carriers in their extended positions.

17 The combination with a bit head. of bit carriers pivoted thereto and provided with dogs, and a plunger slidable through said head and having its opposite sides flattened and engaged with the sides of said dogs, said flattened sides defining shoulders engaging the do s to hold the bit carriers in their extended positions.

' 18. The combination with a bit head, of bit carriers pivoted thereto and having rearwardly extending dogs, a plunger slidable through said head and having its forward portion formed with oppositely arranged inclined shoulders adapted to engage said dogs to swing the bit carriers inwardly, said plunger being provided at a point spaced from its forward end with a second set of shoulders adapted to detachably hold said bit carriers in their extended positions.

19. The combination with a drill having cutting means and a plunger, said plunger being provided with a groove, a member having pivoted pawls adapted to extend into said grooves for supporting said drill, and "trip pins slidably carried by said member and adapted to engage the inner sides of said pawls to move the same to their inoperative positions.

9.0. The combination with a drill having cutting means, said drill being provided with a plunger, of a liquid retainer surrounding said plunger and inclusive of an annular series of arms having their forward end portions provided with arcnate sections constituting an annular washer.

21. The combination with a bit head, of bit carriers associated with the bit head, a

plunger extending into the head for operating said bit carriers, a liquid retainer surrounding said plunger and adapted to engage said head, and a pin extending transversely through said plunger for engaging said liquid retainer whereby the liquid retainer is spaced from the head when the head is being positioned.

A drill comprising a bit head, bits carried thereby, a plunger slidable through the bit head and adapted for engaging said bit, a locking member surrounding said plunger and inclusive of an annularseries of spring arms having locking means, and connecting rods secured to said locking membeis and said bit head.

A drill comprising a bit head having an opening, a plunger slidable through said opening, bit holders carried by said head and having dogs, said plunger being provided with shoulders engaging said dogs for holding the bit holders in position, and means to secure the plunger against rotation with relation to said bit head.

24. A drill comprising a bit head having an opening and a slot communicating with the opening, a plunger slidable through said slot and opening, bit holders pivoted within said slot and having their rear end portions provided with dogs to hold the bit holders in position, said plunger being provided on opposite sides with shoulders engaging said dogs, and a locking device associated with said bit head.

25. The combination with a bit head adapted for insertion through a drill pipe, of bits carried thereby, and a liquid retainer having an annular series of arms provided at their forward ends with arcuate sections having their inner sides beveled, the adjacent end of said bit head being adapted to engage the beveled inner sides of said sections.

JOHN HENRY HERMAN. 

